Six things about the University of Regina's 2016 Campus Master Plan

The University of Regina this week completed the last of its public forums on a draft of the 2016 campus master plan. The future direction of development outlined in the draft will be finalized at the board of governors meeting in March. Twenty-four general strategies for development are identified in the report. Below are five of interest.

The main campus and the knowledge corridor

This strategy recognizes the need to maintain the main campus as the focus of “academic, cultural, social and recreational activities” while research development will continue to expand in the southern portion of campus, and the Wascana East Lands will be the site of future university growth. The proposal for the main campus aims to keep the main campus within the University Drive roads, with some exceptions, such as the sports fields and maintenance building. “Further growth on the main campus will be through intensification, infill development and displacement of non-essential land uses,” the report states. In terms of a knowledge corridor with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a new road, pedestrian and cycle routes are proposed. Innovation Place Research Park will continue to develop close to the main campus with complementary food services and lounges.

The pedestrian concourse system

Students will be able to walk to all campus buildings through an expanded indoor pedestrian concourse system. The idea here is to connect all campus buildings on the ground level (wherever possible) with access to natural light and the outdoors. “The concourse will be designed as a series of connected indoor urban streets — vital and sociable meeting grounds for the entire community,” according to the report. An example of where a link could occur is east and south of Campion College to the Physical Activity Centre. However, it is pointed out that expanding the internal pedestrian concourse system must be balanced with the value of exterior open spaces and experiences. Also, the report notes the linkages should not conflict with campus streets, outdoor pedestrian walkways and bike paths. The First Nations University of Canada campus is expected to develop it own concourses. There is a possibility for a “long-range connection between the two systems under or over University Drive East.”

Animating the Academic Green

In the past decade, the University of Regina has improved the Academic Green with an oval pathway lined with trees. But the university wants to make further improvements in order to “animate the space and realize its potential as the physical and symbolic focus of the campus.” Further, the purpose of the green space is to “give a sense of cohesion” and a “memorable image,” as evident in other campuses. One suggestion is to improve access to the Academic Green in older buildings on campus and connect to the interior pedestrian concourse system. Spaces near buildings and entrances should be provided with benches and shade to encourage and create gathering places. Also, during the winter months, the Academic Green should be visible with “attractive views” from the inside of buildings.

Wayfinding and Signage

The university wants to improve how people get around, but also understand and visualize how the campus is laid out with signage, paths and landmarks. The report explains the strategy as making the campus more legible, or “the ease with which information about the environment can be grasped,” and easier to navigate. In particular, the plan includes creating a clear and distinct north-south and east-west campus structure “with clear circulation routes and an easily understood sequence of spaces.” Other ways to improve navigation is to create more landscape landmarks, like the Academic Green, and public art to mark places on campus. The other part of the strategy is to improve signage for approach routes as well as signage for buildings and foot paths.

Constituent and Communal Needs

Newly designed buildings will be required to include communal facilities, such as general instructional and study space, lounges and food services, along with departmental space and promote indoor circulation and flow to outdoor circulation. Designing buildings in this way will fulfill “an equal obligation to make a contribution to the campus environment and to serve the university community at large. Further, building designs should promote works by the campus community, such as displays and exhibitions, that are accessible and visible from routes through campus. Location of buildings is also important. According to the report, new projects should be located near “poorly designed parts of the campus” in order to “repair” those areas rather than near other new developments.

Sustainable Development

This strategy recognizes the university’s role as an “educational servant and intellectual leader” in Regina and raise awareness about environmental concerns in the community. Following this, development should focus on plans that are land-, energy- and waste-efficient. “Creating a sustainable campus is essential and should be what measures and defines quality on campus,” the report states. As sustainable, development also should aim to meet the needs of the present without “compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In particular, the strategy identifies six goals for sustainable development: protecting ecosystems and supporting the restoration of natural systems; promoting the development of livable communities; using resources efficiently (energy, water, land and materials); creating healthy indoor environments; moving toward eliminating waste and pollution and considering alternatives to fossil fuels.

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